EU Pushes Tech Sovereignty in Semiconductors and Cloud, Cutting Risky Dependencies Without Isolation
Updated
Updated · Euronews · May 21
EU Pushes Tech Sovereignty in Semiconductors and Cloud, Cutting Risky Dependencies Without Isolation
6 articles · Updated · Euronews · May 21
Henna Virkkunen said EU technological sovereignty means building capacity in critical sectors and avoiding dependence on any one company or solution, not closing Europe off from global partners.
Semiconductor supply chains and cloud services are central targets, with the Commission preparing legislation to strengthen resilience and improve Europe’s position in the AI race.
Public procurement is a key lever: Virkkunen said governments and public-sector buyers should steer more ICT contracts toward European vendors to create alternatives at critical chokepoints.
The stance seeks to answer a divisive EU debate over how far the bloc should rely on foreign providers—including companies from allied countries such as the US and UK—while still working with like-minded partners.
Can Europe's multi-billion euro push for 'sovereignty' build true tech champions or just high-cost national projects?
As the EU favors its own tech, will citizens pay the price through less access to top global innovations?
The EU’s 2026 Tech Sovereignty Package: Restricting US Cloud, Chips Act 2.0, and the Drive for Digital Independence
Overview
The European Union is set to launch its Tech Sovereignty Package on May 27, 2026, marking a major shift in strategy to reduce reliance on non-EU technology. Driven by growing concerns over dependence on dominant overseas companies, recent disruptions, and geopolitical tensions—especially the US-China tech rivalry—the EU aims for 'minimum viable sovereignty.' This means building operational autonomy and legal insulation from non-EU jurisdictions, rather than full isolation. The package is closely tied to broader industrial goals, such as boosting manufacturing and clean tech leadership, and reflects a consensus that Europe must secure its digital future through greater control and resilience.